All is well...

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true, for the Lord God hath spoken it." Mosiah 2:41

I know Mike is in that blessed and happy state... Today marks 5 weeks since Mike's passing. It seems like it has been a life time already. My children and I are walking along the shore, waves of grief lapping around our ankles... Occasionally a huge wave comes along and nearly knocks us over...We dig our feet into the sand and steady ourselves. We try not to fall. We continue to walk forward with faith. We hope that soon, the little waves of grief will be the only ones we feel.

Our love for Mike has deepened. We have heard so many accounts of his life touching others. Many of the stories we are hearing for the first time. We are so very, very grateful for the many lives that have touched ours during this long journey. We have developed deeper appreciation for those who have supported us. We have made new friends. We have an amazing appreciation for those who cared for Mike and for each of us.

Mikes funeral and memorial services were fitting and deserving for such an amazing man. This leg of our journey has come to a close. We have begun a new journey now. We will continue to have meaning and purpose in our lives as we cherish the extraordinary memories we have of Mike, husband, father, son, and friend.

We find comfort in this verse:
"Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effort, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight: I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. 'All is well." Canon Henry Scott-Holland